Reviews & Ratings

2015 Vinum Cellars White Blends or Varietals "White Elephant"

Winery: Vinum Cellars

Vintage: 2015

Wine Name/Vineyard: "White Elephant"

Wine Category: White Blends or Varietals

Grape blend: 62% Chenin Blanc, 28% Roussanne & 10% Viognier

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: California

State or country: CA

Price: $20

Cases produced: 411

KWG Score: 88.6 (based on 3 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (90)

Review date: January 12, 2018

Wine Review: This bright light yellow colored Chenin Blanc based blend opens with a Granny Smith apple bouquet with a hint of pear. On the palate, this wine is medium to full bodied, very nicely balanced and a little juicy. The flavor profile is a mild mineral infused Anjou pear with notes of almond. I also detected a hint of lemon verbena and chamomile tea. The finish is dry and its acidity and flavors are nicely prolonged. This wine is food friendly and would pair nicely with swordfish skewers. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: Medium straw color which is evidence of its careful French oak barrel fermentation. The aromas display tropical top notes from the Clarksburg Chenin Blanc such as mango and lychee, but then is backed by apricot and clove courtesy of the Paso Robles Viognier. The palate has a slight toasted oak note and then becomes slightly creamy while opening up with its ample acidity (again from the Clarksburg Chenin Blanc), but then shows the pear grit and pure minerality from the Paso Robles Roussanne. This complex blend was crafted to deliver a world class, food friendly wine and a new world tribute to the Loire Valley. The wine has a long and elegant finish and is ideal with fresh oysters on the half shell and pairs well with fresh cracked crab or crab cakes, or a mildly spicy almond chicken curry.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Vinum 2015 White Elephant.